a Barbapapa t

A simple make for the summer holidays!





H&M sold some Barbapapa bits for a while though mainly for babies. I bought a jersey baby hat... or possibly toddler hat as that would need to be a rather large headed baby... cut around them and oh so quickly stitched them on.

Now, who can name all the Barbapapa children?

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Peter Pan pyjamas for Patch

Well, pyjama bottoms





Pattern used was the Oliver&S Sandbox Pants size 5 in some summery seersucker from a local fabric shop. Such a quick quick make - I left off the pockets though I did add a fake fly which you can't see. But I know it's there.

Actually this was the second pair of summery pyjamas made. Here are the first looking rather similar





I attempted another pattern from Fiona Bell's Vintage Style for Kids. The Classic Boy's Pyjamas looked so sweet, and they are, but again I just found the pattern a little puzzling to follow. I decided to use some white cotton tape to replace the drawstring and made a size 5 as the last make from this book for Patch turned out rather large. I've realised that the Sandbox Pants fit P well as they have a drawstring and elastic waist whereas this pattern has just the drawstring and so has great bunches off fabric around the waist in order to not fall down. And they are rather short. One of the disadvantages of sewing at night when the wearer is fast asleep. But happily they shall make a sweet present for one of Patch's younger friends. Pretend you didn't read that Jo/Kate...

I might try the pyjama top from Vintage Style for Kids though P will be wearing his with a soft white t. They are the perfect pyjamas for listening to Peter Pan whilst tucked in bed with a glass of milk and a biscuit. I love them.

And yes, these photographs are taken on my new camera. And yes, they are as clear as any of the ones taken before. I think I need to better my photograph taking skills. Please help Linda! Not sure I would have taken this one with my old camera





Thank you for the sweet peas Mum!

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Still making...

Though in the summer holidays things more like this





and this






I have managed some sewing, mainly in the early morn when Patch decides it is time to start the day. He has been happily playing with cars, train track, Lego and I have been merrily sewing. So a skirt and some pyjamas to show.

But am waiting for two things - for some sunny, bright light and this




Look out for some amazingly photographed pyjamas on Friday!

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More shorts...

With all that sun I really wanted to try this pattern for Patch... the Madras-Check Shorts from Fiona Bell's Vintage Style for Kids












I used yet more of the decades-old sarong fabric - not much left now - as I wasn't sure about sizes. I made size 5 which is a little big around the waist, a fine length, but just baggy everywhere. Instead of making a drawstring I used some blue twill ribbon thing and I think that was my only deviation from the pattern.

The shorts have a functioning fly which isn't needed for getting the shorts on and off as they are drawstring, so maybe a mock fly would be better? Patch has discovered the fully functioning zip and excitedly called me to come and see - he was dropping cars through the hole and laughing as they came out the legs. So maybe that fly does have a use after all...

This book appears to assume a fair level of sewing knowledge unlike the thorough instructions of an Oliver&S pattern. As the fit of the Sandbox pants is better for Patch I shall stick to my favourite... sorry Madras-Check Shorts.

We had been having such fun in the garden in the hot sunny weather. We bought a motor to fit onto Patch's Playmobil boats which whilst fun in the bath are so much more so in the paddling pool




especially with Chunk at the wheel.

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End of term thank you makes

Patch has had such a happy first year of school and so skipped in on his last day with some thank you presents









Sweet smelling lavender bags








And my favourite summery cowl so far.... Ooooo, all those mini pom poms.

Term finished a week ago today. Oh my, one week gone already. But a lovely week spent at a Sussex cottage with Granny and Grandpa filled with sunny days at Romney Hythe Dymchurch Railway, days at the beach, playing in the fountains at Bexhill-on-sea and meeting friends at Lewes Castle and Eastbourne









A proper English summer holiday. Oh yes, there was even crazy golf... Lovely photographs taken by Linda.

Such fun!

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Sandbox school shorts...

Can you tell the curtains still need hemming? Here I am making Patch some school shorts, which I know aren't at all expensive to go out and buy but it feels nice that Patch is wearing something Mummy made to school.




The third time making the Oliver and S Sandbox pants, such a great pattern. This time I made size 5 in the hope that our little weed can still be wearing these in September. The fabric has a true school uniform feel - surely there must be a cotton version available somewhere? - found at the local fabric shop. I do wish the tie was grey but black tape was all that could be found last week. Mr Rs input was to suggest a blue for the pocket linings as they just peek out, a nice detail to match the school sweatshirts. Well of course Mr R. I found a good match in some oh so cheap royal blue lining fabric.





Buttons on the back pockets off a pair of Mr R's old trousers. Or maybe they are spares from a pair he still wears? Oh well, at least I know where they are...

Oh, and I made them into shorts rather than trousers




Now off to hem those curtains...

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Instead of hemming the curtains...

This is the sort of thing I get around to doing





Patch's jeans have been hiding in my please do something with me basket for two weeks. I'm wondering if they will still fit as Patch is growing like a weed. Oh well, at least they won't be dragging through all the puddles...

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